Godolphin

Hardback. 233pp. Nancy and Waldorf Astor's copy of this classic Victorian novel. From the library of their country house and with a Cliveden Library bookplate. During the 1920s and 1930s Cliveden was used by the Astors for their political gatherings, the "Cliveden set". Both the Astors were political: Nancy Astor was the first woman MP to take her seat in the House of Commons. Waldorf Astor was an MP until he inherited his father's title and moved to the House of Lords. Waldorf Astor was also the owner of The Observer newspaper. During the time Cliveden was owned by the Astors' son is was the scene of hedonistic parties and many of the events in what became known as the Profumo affair. Contemporary half-binding in green morocco with marbled papers to boards. Spine with raised bands is lettered in gilt to two compartments with gilt decoration in the remaining compartments. Black and white frontis. Spine is darkened to a brown though the gilt is still bright. Leather is rubbed to spine ends and spine edges and to corners. some exposed board to the corners. some slight surface scuffing to the marbled papers to the boards. Binding is sound. Text is clean and crisp. Good+, sound copy.…